Delco man accused of shooting deputy makes first court appearance

COLUMBUS COUNTY (WWAY) — A 48-year-old Delco man accused of shooting a Columbus County deputy made his first court appearance Thursday morning, one day after authorities launched an almost 11-hour manhunt involving more than 20 law enforcement agencies.

William Robert Smith Jr. appeared virtually in a Columbus County courtroom. He is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of assault on an officer with a deadly weapon.

Smith was given a court-appointed attorney and will be held without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 1 for a probable cause hearing.

Authorities said the manhunt for Smith took place in the Green Swamp on Wednesday. He was apprehended around 7 p.m. near Green Tree Road in Delco.

Prior to Wednesday’s incident, Smith was on probation for previous felony drug charges.

The shooting has also raised concerns among residents in the Delco community.

Charlene Farmer, who lives on Livingston Chapel Road, said she has seen her neighborhood change over the years and worries about her family’s safety.

“Safe is a, no, I don’t. Not only with this, but we don’t even let our kids out to play because our area has turned into probably one of the worst areas. You have people, unknown people, walking up and down the roads; you have all that out here, so this makes it question even more, you know, the safety of all of us,” said Farmer.

The deputy involved in Wednesday’s shooting has been identified as Deputy Joe Byrd, a law enforcement veteran with 29 years of experience.

Byrd suffered a shattered right arm and is in stable condition.

The investigation remains ongoing.